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In 2008, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo revealed that the whole world has become a part of the Skrull Empire and she was not sorry.

That did not happen in real life but in the Marvel comic book series called “Secret Invasion” which saw Marvel’s superheroes deal with the shocking discovery that an alien race of shape-shifters had infiltrated Earth’s governments.

Comics throwback

Comic book blogger Jerald Uy posted a snippet from a comic book version of newly-elected House Speaker Arroyo declaring the Earth a part of the “Skrull Empire.”

The highlighted panel came from the fifth issue of Marvel Comics’ 2008 crossover series Secret Invasion featuring the villainous Skrull Empire from the planet Skrullos, whose inhabitants have been blessed with both shapes-shifting abilities and a massive intergalactic arsenal.

The Skrull Empire, led by its ruler Princess Veranke, finally reveals that it had kidnapped the world’s most influential figures: celebrities, superheroes and heads of state, and replaced them with shape-shifting Skrull spies in order to fulfill their conquest of Earth.

The Philippines then’ president is one of the unfortunate victims of the Skrulls’ devious machinations.

Published towards the end of Arroyo’s incumbency in 2008, the reference came from Filipino artist Leinil Francis Yu, who worked on the interior art of the series.

Yu first gained attention for his work on the Wolverine series in the late 90’s.

Since then, he has done artwork for more than twenty titles, including hits such as Superman: Birthright, The Ultimates, and Superior.

For those critical of Arroyo’s presidency, the chaos in Secret Invasion is also worth recalling following the surprise upheaval in the lower house that launched her back into the political limelight.

Back in 2008, Arroyo unmasked herself as a Skrull infiltrator in Marvel's Secret Invasion storyline. Judging by how fucked up things are at the moment, that situation's looking very plausible right now. pic.twitter.com/8lb8qn6G0a

Some advocates and watchdogs remain critical of Arroyo, who was accused of tolerating human rights abuses during her presidency.

I was chair of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines when Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s military included us in a road show of “enemies of the state”. Return of the comeback talaga. Read on GMA and the media. https://t.co/0PjQZZ7WZn